Aldous welcomes new legislation against aggressive bailiffs

Peter Aldous MP for Waveney has welcomed the news that the law will be changed to give vulnerable people stronger protection from aggressive bailiffs.

Under new laws to clean up the industry, bailiffs will be banned from entering homes at night and when only children are present. New safeguards will prevent bailiffs from using force against people who owe money and they will also no longer have free reign to fix their own fees as new set costs are brought in.

These new laws, and a mandatory training and certification scheme will enable businesses to collect debts fairly and ensure that bailiffs who do not follow the rules will be barred from the industry.

Commenting, local MP Peter Aldous said:

‘At the moment there is very little to stop unscrupulous bailiffs from abusing their position and making life a misery for vulnerable people here in Waveney. It is terribly stressful to find yourself in debt and the last thing people in that situation need is harassment from debt collectors. We need a system which allows the majority of responsible bailiffs to get on with doing their jobs fairly, but which stops abuse and gives real protection, and that is exactly what these changes will create.’

Justice Minister Helen Grant MP said:

‘For too long bailiffs have gone unregulated, allowing a small minority to give the industry a bad name. Too many people in debt have had the additional stress of dealing with aggressive bailiffs who often charge extortionate fees. These new laws will clean up the industry and ensure bailiffs play by the rules or face being prevented from practising. They will also make sure businesses and public bodies can collect their debts fairly.’

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